Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare salivary gland malignancy with variable malignant potential. Only 8 cases studied by fine needle aspiration have been reported in the literature. We have observed axillary metastasis in a patient with oropharyngeal HCCC. Smears were cellular and composed of middle-sized, oval cells with round and ovoid hyperchromatic nuclei without atypia. Some mitotic figures and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were present. Most of the cells exhibited dense and occasionally clarified cytoplasm. Tumor cells were mostly arranged in loose clusters rich in rosette-like formations and naked nuclei. FISH revealed EWSR1 translocation. Comparing our case with 8 previously reported cases, it is evident that it is possible to make the diagnosis of HCCC on smears, especially when EWSR1 translocation is present.
Cedor et al. (Tue,) studied this question.